Sexual harassment at Valparai College | Three staff members suspended, coach sacked

The administration of Government Arts and Science College in Valparai on Monday suspended three temporary staff members after they were arrested on Saturday for sexually harassing female students.

While two temporary lecturers and a computer lab assistant were suspended by the college's principal (with full additional responsibility), a vocational training course trainer was fired from a company that partners with the college to provide vocational training courses under a government program.

Lecturers S. Satheeshkumar (39) and M. Muraliraj (33), who worked in the commerce department, laboratory assistant A. Anbarasu (37), who worked in the computer science department, and course instructor N. Rajapandi (35) were arrested on Saturday based on a complaint by District Social Worker (DSWO) R. Ambika.

The four men were accused of sexually harassing at least six female students on campus and via WhatsApp messages on several occasions, according to police. The students concerned had sent a petition to the State Women's Commission, which in turn commissioned the DSWO to investigate the allegations. After questioning the students on Friday, the officer filed a police report, which led to the arrest of the four men on Saturday.

An official of the Directorate of Higher Education said the Chief Secretary issued various instructions and convened a video conference with various stakeholders across the state on Monday afternoon to discuss measures to prevent crimes against women and children in educational institutions.

“As per the guidelines announced in the meeting, various programmes, including awareness-raising activities, will be conducted by the district administration in the colleges,” the official said.